Ringo Starr became a household name as the drummer of the Beatles, one of the most iconic bands of all time.

But decades after the Beatles broke up, he continued to make an impact.

In 2015, Starr was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, and in 2017 he was awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II.

Starr turns 80 years old on Tuesday, July 7.

Starr poses for a portrait circa 1959. He was born July 7, 1940, in Liverpool, England. Before joining the Beatles, he played drums for several bands in the Liverpool area.
Starr poses for a portrait circa 1959. He was born July 7, 1940, in Liverpool, England. Before joining the Beatles, he played drums for several bands in the Liverpool area.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Starr, right, was the drummer for the group Rory Storm and the Hurricanes from 1957-1962.
Starr, right, was the drummer for the group Rory Storm and the Hurricanes from 1957-1962.
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Starr joined the Beatles in August 1962, replacing Pete Best as the drummer. While with the Beatles, he also performed some vocals and helped write songs.
Starr joined the Beatles in August 1962, replacing Pete Best as the drummer. While with the Beatles, he also performed some vocals and helped write songs.
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The Beatles stare at a plastic spider on Starr's nose in October 1963. With Starr, from left, are George Harrison, John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
The Beatles stare at a plastic spider on Starr's nose in October 1963. With Starr, from left, are George Harrison, John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Peter Hall/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Starr leaves his family home in Liverpool in December 1963. Starr's birth name is Richard Starkey Jr. He got the nickname Ringo because of his habit of wearing numerous rings.
Starr leaves his family home in Liverpool in December 1963. Starr's birth name is Richard Starkey Jr. He got the nickname Ringo because of his habit of wearing numerous rings.
Sunday Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
Starr's parents Richard and Elsie were both bakery workers.
Starr's parents Richard and Elsie were both bakery workers.
Max Scheler/K & K/Redferns/Getty Images
The Beatles horse around with Starr while in Paris in January 1964.
The Beatles horse around with Starr while in Paris in January 1964.
André Lefebvre/Paris Match/Getty Images
Starr deplanes in Paris in January 1964.
Starr deplanes in Paris in January 1964.
Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
The Beatles meet with talk-show host Ed Sullivan while in New York in February 1964. It was their first appearance on the show.
The Beatles meet with talk-show host Ed Sullivan while in New York in February 1964. It was their first appearance on the show.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Starr is besieged by schoolgirls as he strolls on a beach in Miami in February 1964.
Starr is besieged by schoolgirls as he strolls on a beach in Miami in February 1964.
Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
Starr uses a fishing rod from his hotel window in Seattle in August 1964.
Starr uses a fishing rod from his hotel window in Seattle in August 1964.
William Lovelace/Express Newspapers/Getty Images
Starr married his first wife, Maureen, in February 1965. They are joined here in the front row by their parents. In the back row, from right, are Beatles manager Brian Epstein, Harrison, Lennon and Lennon's then-wife Cynthia. McCartney was on vacation.
Starr married his first wife, Maureen, in February 1965. They are joined here in the front row by their parents. In the back row, from right, are Beatles manager Brian Epstein, Harrison, Lennon and Lennon's then-wife Cynthia. McCartney was on vacation.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Starr is trapped in a scientific lab in the 1965 film "Help!" He starred in several movies with his bandmates and continued to act after the band broke up in 1970.
Starr is trapped in a scientific lab in the 1965 film "Help!" He starred in several movies with his bandmates and continued to act after the band broke up in 1970.
John Springer Collection/Corbis Historical/Getty Images
Starr holds his newborn son, Zak, in September 1965. He had three children with his first wife before they were divorced in 1975.
Starr holds his newborn son, Zak, in September 1965. He had three children with his first wife before they were divorced in 1975.
Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
From left, McCartney, Harrison, Starr and Lennon appear on a television program in June 1967.
From left, McCartney, Harrison, Starr and Lennon appear on a television program in June 1967.
Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
Starr kicks a ball while filming the Beatles' musical "Magical Mystery Tour" in September 1967.
Starr kicks a ball while filming the Beatles' musical "Magical Mystery Tour" in September 1967.
Chapman/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Starr and film actor Peter Sellers wave from a cruise ship before sailing for America in 1969. The two starred in the 1969 film "The Magic Christian."
Starr and film actor Peter Sellers wave from a cruise ship before sailing for America in 1969. The two starred in the 1969 film "The Magic Christian."
Wood/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Starr appears with Raquel Welch in "The Magic Christian."
Starr appears with Raquel Welch in "The Magic Christian."
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Starr attends a rehearsal at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1971. He plays the drums left-handed with a right-handed drum set.
Starr attends a rehearsal at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1971. He plays the drums left-handed with a right-handed drum set.
Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
From left, Elton John, Marc Bolan and Starr have a drink together while promoting the film "Born to Boogie" in 1972.
From left, Elton John, Marc Bolan and Starr have a drink together while promoting the film "Born to Boogie" in 1972.
Michael Putland/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Starr celebrates the opening of his new record label, Ring O' Records, in 1975.
Starr celebrates the opening of his new record label, Ring O' Records, in 1975.
Fred Mott/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Starr married American actress Barbara Bach in 1981.
Starr married American actress Barbara Bach in 1981.
Bryn Colton/Getty Images
In 1988, Starr and Harrison made their first TV appearance together since the Beatles split.
In 1988, Starr and Harrison made their first TV appearance together since the Beatles split.
Press Association/AP
Starr prepares for a concert in Los Angeles circa 1989. Some of his most successful solo songs are "It Don't Come Easy," "Photograph" and "You're Sixteen."
Starr prepares for a concert in Los Angeles circa 1989. Some of his most successful solo songs are "It Don't Come Easy," "Photograph" and "You're Sixteen."
L. Busacca/WireImage/Getty Images
From left, Starr, McCartney, Harrison and producer George Martin get together during a recording at London's Abbey Road Studios in 1995. They worked together on a new Beatles song, "Free as a Bird."
From left, Starr, McCartney, Harrison and producer George Martin get together during a recording at London's Abbey Road Studios in 1995. They worked together on a new Beatles song, "Free as a Bird."
PAMPC PA/AP
Starr and his wife, Barbara, sit with McCartney and his wife, Linda, at a fashion show in Paris in 1997. They were there to support McCartney's daughter Stella, a fashion designer.
Starr and his wife, Barbara, sit with McCartney and his wife, Linda, at a fashion show in Paris in 1997. They were there to support McCartney's daughter Stella, a fashion designer.
Pool ARNAL/PAT/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Starr and McCartney are joined by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, as they unveil plaques of Lennon and Harrison in Las Vegas in 2007. It was the first anniversary of "Love," Cirque du Soleil's Beatles-themed show at the Mirage Hotel & Casino.
Starr and McCartney are joined by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, as they unveil plaques of Lennon and Harrison in Las Vegas in 2007. It was the first anniversary of "Love," Cirque du Soleil's Beatles-themed show at the Mirage Hotel & Casino.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Starr accepts a Diamond Award on behalf of the Beatles during the World Music Awards in 2008.
Starr accepts a Diamond Award on behalf of the Beatles during the World Music Awards in 2008.
Claude Paris/AP
Starr receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010.
Starr receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010.
Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images
Starr performs on stage for a special television program in January 2014. The show was called "The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles."
Starr performs on stage for a special television program in January 2014. The show was called "The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles."
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Starr takes a selfie with fashion designer John Varvatos, left, and film director David Lynch while celebrating his 74th birthday in July 2014. Starr's wife, Barbara, is in the back.
Starr takes a selfie with fashion designer John Varvatos, left, and film director David Lynch while celebrating his 74th birthday in July 2014. Starr's wife, Barbara, is in the back.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images
Starr and McCartney acknowledge the crowd at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2015. Starr was already in the Hall of Fame as a member of the Beatles, but this time he was being inducted as a solo artist.
Starr and McCartney acknowledge the crowd at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2015. Starr was already in the Hall of Fame as a member of the Beatles, but this time he was being inducted as a solo artist.
Mark Duncan/AP
Starr attends a 2015 exhibition of photos he took during his life. He also put out a book, "Photographs."
Starr attends a 2015 exhibition of photos he took during his life. He also put out a book, "Photographs."
Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images
Starr poses with his medal after being awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018.
Starr poses with his medal after being awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018.
John Stillwell/AFP/Getty Images